Associates of police killer Dale Cregan were urged to improve their security after they were cleared of murder charges and released.

Police fear Leon Atkinson, Ryan Hadfield and Matthew James could be at risk of reprisal attacks over the murders of crime boss David Short and his son Mark, both gunned down by Cregan.

After they were cleared at Preston Crown Court but before they were released, detectives spoke to each man, outlined the risks, and urged them to be improve their personal security. Each one has previously been handed a ‘threat to life’ notice by police following credible intelligence about the risks.

Mr James, 33, from Clayton, is thought to be in particular danger. A former friend of Cregan, he told the killer the Shorts were in Droylsden’s Cotton Tree pub before the assassination. He told the jury he had no idea what his friend would do with the information and he was cleared of murder and three counts of attempted murder.

But he angered Cregan by revealing all about the telephone call, telling the court he believed he would ‘probably be killed’ for turning on his old pal. Police believe he is now at risk from both allies of Cregan and also members of the Short family for his role in the pub murder.

Mr Atkinson, 35, from Ashton-under-Lyne, cleared of orchestrating the pub hit, and Cregan’s best friend Mr Hadfield, 28, from Droylsden, cleared of acting as a spotter for the murder, have now been warned to watch their backs.

The move comes as police and council officials increase efforts to reassure residents of Clayton and Droylsden.

Officials including Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd will go out and knock on doors as part of a meet-and-greet with residents from 2.30pm today.

He said: “It’s been a difficult few months for the residents of Clayton – an area I know very well. The community has been unfairly stigmatised because of the atrocities of Cregan but there is a strong community here and is home to good, decent, law-abiding people.

“It’s about demystifying organised crime, not allowing it to bring fear to our communities and we all need to stand together and play our part.”